2012-2013 Holiday Programming

Friday, December 21, 9–11 p.m. 

A Paul Winter Solstice Concert 

This illuminating tradition from New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, features gospel singer Theresa Thomason, Mbira Master Chris Berry and The Paul Winter Consort and the glorious Cathedral Pipe Organ. 

Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24

10 a.m.–noon
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 

Live from the chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King’s College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ service of Biblical readings and music. 

7-8 p.m.
Christmas Celtic Sojourn 

A Celtic celebration of the season, with renowned traditional singers, dancers and instrumentalists. 

Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25 

9-10 a.m. 
A Chanticleer Christmas 

A celebration of the season as told through the glorious voices of Chanticleer, the 12-voice San Francisco-based men’s choir. The program spans the globe and the centuries - from England in the 1300’s to new arrangements of classic and contemporary carols. 

10 a.m.-noon
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Encore broadcast of music and spoken-word from the chapel of King’s College in Cambridge, England.   

noon-1 p.m.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico 

This award-winning choir from London pays a visit to St. Paul’s Church in Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance.  

1-4 p.m. 
The Handel & Haydn Society’s “Messiah” 

Harry Christophers leads the Handel & Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra, Chorus and internationally-acclaimed soloists in Handel’s complete masterwork from Boston’s Symphony Hall.

Saturday December 29, 8-9 p.m.

A Season’s Griot 

A Kwanzaa celebration in story and song, hosted by Madafo Lloyd Wilson. The program features youth as special guest griots, reading original and traditional stories. 

Live Music

Sunday December 30, 3-5 p.m.

Bach at New Years 

New England Public Radio and The Berkshire Bach Society Present Bach at New Years.  

Join us for a wonderful afternoon of Bach at the Academy of Music in Northampton. 

For tickets, visit the Academy of Music Box Office. 

New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31 

7-8 p.m.
Politics Takes a Holiday 

The Capitol Steps annual tradition!  

9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Toast of the Nation 

Count down, sing along, and dance to live music all night long. Travel from coast to coast with four celebrations of midnight from time zone to time zone. 

New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013 

11 a.m.-1 p.m. 
New Year’s Day from Vienna 

The Vienna Philharmonic presents its annual New Year’s Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. 

3-5 p.m. 
Boston Baroque Gala First Day Concert 

Martin Pearlman conducts Boston Baroque’s period-instrument orchestra in concertos by Corelli and Telemann, and La serva padrona, Giovanni Pergolesi’s hilarious tale of an old guy and his young mistress that revolutionized the opera world. Live from Sanders Theater in Cambridge.